Method and system of operating a social networking application via an external device

ABSTRACT

A method of operating a social networking application via an external device includes at an external device having one or more processors and memory storing programs executed by the one or more processors, receiving one or more new message notifications of a social networking application from a social networking terminal; acquiring a playback instruction from a user to play a new message of the social networking application on the external device; transmitting the playback instruction to the social networking terminal; receiving a first voice message corresponding to the new message of the social networking application from the social networking terminal; and playing the first voice message on the external device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/204,855, entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM OFOPERATING A SOCIAL NETWORKING APPLICATION VIA AN EXTERNAL DEVICE” filedon Jul. 7, 2016, which is a continuation application of PCT PatentApplication No. PCT/CN2014/091169, entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM OFOPERATING A SOCIAL NETWORKING APPLICATION VIA AN EXTERNAL DEVICE” filedNov. 14, 2014, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No.201410155958.8, entitled “A METHOD AND SYSTEM OF OPERATING A SOCIALNETWORKING APPLICATION VIA AN EXTERNAL DEVICE” filed on Apr. 17, 2014,all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to the field of the internettechnologies, and in particular, to a method and system of operating asocial networking application via an external device.

BACKGROUND

With the rapid development of the internet technologies, an increasingnumber of users communicate with other users using a social networkingconversation, for example, an instant messaging tool or a SocialNetworking Service (SNS). However, it is usually inconvenient for a userto operate a social networking application installed on a socialnetworking terminal during driving or walking, because such operationusually brings risks to the safety of the user and the security of thesocial networking terminal.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments of the present application, a method ofoperating a social networking application via an external devicecomprises at an external device having one or more processors and memorystoring programs executed by the one or more processors, receiving oneor more new message notifications of a social networking applicationfrom a social networking terminal; acquiring a playback instruction froma user to play a new message of the social networking application on theexternal device; transmitting the playback instruction to the socialnetworking terminal; receiving a first voice message corresponding tothe new message of the social networking application from the socialnetworking terminal; and playing the first voice message on the externaldevice.

In some embodiments, the method of operating a social networkingapplication via an external device further comprises acquiring an inputinstruction from the user to input a second voice message from theexternal device; transmitting the input instruction to the socialnetworking terminal; recording the second voice message from theexternal device; and transmitting the second voice message to the socialnetworking terminal.

In some embodiments, the method of operating a social networkingapplication via an external device further comprises setting a socialnetworking conversation that corresponds to the new message as a currentsocial networking conversation; acquiring a switch instruction from theuser to switch to a next new message of the social networkingapplication; and updating the current social networking conversation tocorrespond to the next new message of the social networking application.

In some embodiments, the method of operating a social networkingapplication via an external device further comprises detecting whether auser operation on the external device corresponds to the playbackinstruction; and if the user operation on the external devicecorresponds to the playback instruction, generating the playbackinstruction.

In some embodiments, the method of operating a social networkingapplication via an external device further comprises detecting whether auser operation on the external device corresponds to the inputinstruction; and if the user operation on the external devicecorresponds to the input instruction, generating the input instruction.

In some embodiments, the method of operating a social networkingapplication via an external device further comprises detecting whether auser operation on the external device corresponds to the switchinstruction; and if the user operation on the external devicecorresponds to the switch instruction, generating the switchinstruction.

In some embodiments, recording the second voice message from theexternal device further comprises holding a button on the externaldevice to start recording; and releasing the button on the externaldevice to end recording.

In some embodiments, the method of operating a social networkingapplication via an external device further comprises requestingauthentication of the external device from the social networkingterminal; and establishing a connection between the external device andthe social networking terminal if the authentication of the externaldevice is granted by the social networking terminal.

According to some embodiments of the present application, a method ofoperating a social networking application via an external devicecomprises at a social networking terminal having one or more processorsand memory storing programs executed by the one or more processors,receiving one or more new message of a social networking application;transmitting one or more new message notifications of the socialnetworking application to an external device; receiving a playbackinstruction to play a new message of the social networking applicationfrom the external device; retrieving the new message of the socialnetworking application from a computer server; and transmitting a firstvoice message corresponding to the new message of the social networkingapplication to the external device.

In some embodiments, the method of operating a social networkingapplication via an external device further comprises receiving an inputinstruction to input a second voice message from the external device;enabling a voice input function of the social networking terminal;receiving the second voice message recorded from the external device;and transmitting the second voice message to the computer server.

In some embodiments, the method of operating a social networkingapplication via an external device further comprises detecting whetherthe new message of the social networking application is a text message;and if the new message of the social networking application is a textmessage, converting the text message into the first voice message.

In some embodiments, the method of operating a social networkingapplication via an external device further comprises determiningauthentication of the external device; and establishing a connectionbetween the external device and the social networking terminal if theauthentication of the external device is granted by the socialnetworking terminal.

In some embodiments, the method of operating a social networkingapplication via an external device further comprises receiving a firstidentifier that represents the external device; scanning an image codeon the external device; retrieving coded information of the externaldevice by decoding the image code; transmitting the coded information ofthe external device to the computer server; receiving a secondidentifier that corresponds to the coded information from the computerserver; determining whether the first identifier is consistent with thesecond identifier; and granting the authentication of the externaldevice if the first identifier is consistent with the second identifier.

According to some embodiments of the present application, a system ofoperating a social networking application via an external device,comprises an external device having one or more processors and memorystoring one or more programs configured for execution by the one or moreprocessors, the one or more programs including instructions forreceiving one or more new message notifications of a social networkingapplication from a social networking terminal; acquiring a playbackinstruction from a user to play a new message of the social networkingapplication on the external device; transmitting the playbackinstruction to the social networking terminal; receiving a first voicemessage corresponding to the new message of the social networkingapplication from the social networking terminal; and playing the firstvoice message on the external device.

According to some embodiments of the present application, a system ofoperating a social networking application via an external device,comprises a social networking terminal having one or more processors andmemory storing one or more programs configured for execution by the oneor more processors, the one or more programs including instructions forreceiving one or more new message of a social networking application;transmitting one or more new message notifications of the socialnetworking application to an external device; receiving a playbackinstruction to play a new message of the social networking applicationfrom the external device; retrieving the new message of the socialnetworking application from a computer server; and transmitting a firstvoice message corresponding to the new message of the social networkingapplication to the external device.

According to some embodiments of the present application, anon-transitory computer readable storage medium, storing one or moreprograms for execution by one or more processors of an external deviceof a system of operating a social networking application via theexternal device includes instructions for receiving one or more newmessage notifications of a social networking application from a socialnetworking terminal; acquiring a playback instruction from a user toplay a new message of the social networking application on the externaldevice; transmitting the playback instruction to the social networkingterminal; receiving a first voice message corresponding to the newmessage of the social networking application from the social networkingterminal; and playing the first voice message on the external device.

According to some embodiments of the present application, anon-transitory computer readable storage medium, storing one or moreprograms for execution by one or more processors of a social networkingterminal of a system of operating a social networking application viathe external device includes instructions for receiving one or more newmessage of a social networking application; transmitting one or more newmessage notifications of the social networking application to anexternal device; receiving a playback instruction to play a new messageof the social networking application from the external device;retrieving the new message of the social networking application from acomputer server; and transmitting a first voice message corresponding tothe new message of the social networking application to the externaldevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned features and advantages of the present application aswell as additional features and advantages thereof will be more clearlyunderstood hereinafter as a result of a detailed description ofpreferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the presentapplication or in the prior art more clearly, the following brieflyintroduces the accompanying drawings required for describing theembodiments or the prior art. Apparently, the accompanying drawings inthe following description show merely some embodiments of the presentapplication, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still deriveother drawings from these accompanying drawings without creativeefforts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device according to an embodimentof the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device according to anotherembodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device according to anotherembodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device according to anotherembodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device according to anotherembodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device according to anotherembodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a social networking terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an external device accordingto an embodiment of the present application; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a system for operating asocial networking application via an external device according to anembodiment of the present application.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the subject matter presented herein. But itwill be apparent to one skilled in the art that the subject matter maybe practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not beendescribed in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of theembodiments.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present applicationare described clearly and completely with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in the embodiments of the present application in the following.As should be apparent, the described embodiments are merely a partrather than all of the embodiments of the present application. All otherembodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based onthe embodiments of the present application without creative efforts fallwithin the protection scope of the present application.

According to some embodiments of the present application, a socialnetworking terminal may communicate with a server or another socialnetworking terminal using a computer server. The social networkingterminal may be a social networking application client, or a networkterminal on which the social networking application is installed. Thesocial networking application client may be, an instant socialnetworking terminal, an SNS client, a game client, or a mail client. Inaddition, the network terminal may be an intelligent device having anetworking function, such as a tablet computer, a mobile phone, anelectronic reader, a personal computer (PC), a notebook computer, avehicle-mounted device, or a web TV. The external device according tosome embodiments of the present application may be a control devicecapable of communicating with the social networking terminal, where theexternal device may be an independent control device, or integrated in aheadset, a microphone, a wearable device, a mobile phone, an electronicreader, or a remote control.

FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device according to an embodimentof the present application. The method for operating a social networkingapplication via an external device in this embodiment may include thesteps discussed below.

At step S101, when a new social networking message is received, thesocial networking terminal sends the new message notification to anexternal device.

The social networking message may include text messages, voice messages,or video messages, etc.

In some embodiments, the social networking terminal may connect to theexternal device using a wireless communication technologies, such asBluetooth or Near Field Communication (NFC). In some embodiments, thesocial networking terminal may connect to the external device using awired connection, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or 3.5-mm audioport. When receiving a new social networking message, the socialnetworking terminal may generate a new message notification and send thenew message notification to the external device through the establishedconnection. The new message notification may be a voice notification,such as “you've received a new message.” Further, the new messagenotification may include detailed data, for example, information about asender of the received new message, a synopsis of the message, etc.

At step S102, the external device sends a social networking messagenotification to a user.

In some embodiments, the social networking message notification may be avoice notification generated by the social networking terminal accordingto the social networking message.

In some embodiments, the external device may notify the user ofdifferent new messages using various notification schemes. In someembodiments, the external device may set LED lights in different colors,or set different notification mechanisms to indicate different socialnetworking applications. For example, when the social networkingterminal receives a new message, the external device may notify the userby blinking an LED light. Yet in another example, when the socialnetworking terminal enables a voice input function, the external devicemay turn on the LED light indicate that the social networking terminalis in a voice input status; and when the voice input is ended and thevoice input function is disabled, the external device may turn off theLED light to indicate that the voice input status is ended. In someembodiments, when a sound output module such as a headset, a poweramplifier, or a stereo is integrated in the external device, theexternal device may also notify the user using a voice messagecorresponding to the social networking message. For example, when thesocial networking terminal receives a new message, the sound outputmodule may output a voice message notifying “you've received a newmessage.” Further, the notification voice message may also includedetailed data, for example, the sound output module may output a voicemessage notifying “you've received a voice message from XX; to play it,please press the voice playback key.”

At step S103, the external device acquires a playback instruction fromthe user, and sends the playback instruction to the social networkingterminal.

In some embodiments, one or more physical keys or virtual keys may bedisposed on the external device, so as to enable the user to controloperations of the device. The user may tap, double-tap, or touch andhold on the physical key or the virtual key to generate instruactions.The external device may be pre-configured with a plurality ofinstructions that correspond to different control operations. When acontrol operation is input by the user, the external device may acquirea corresponding control instruction, and send the instruction to thesocial networking terminal. The control instruction may include amessage playback instruction, a session switch instruction, a messageinput instruction, a message sending instruction, or the like, and thecorresponding control information may include message playbackinformation, session switch information, message input information,message sending information, or the like. For example, after theexternal device sends the social networking message notification to theuser, the user taps a physical control key disposed on the externaldevice, and generates a message playback instruction. The messageplayback instruction is further sent from the external device to thesocial networking terminal. Further, the control information may includea preset instruction identifier CmdId. The external device may set apre-agreement with the social networking terminal for a socialnetworking control instruction corresponding to the CmdId. For example,the external device may send a Bluetooth data packet to the socialnetworking terminal, where the Bluetooth data packet carries a CmdId ofthe message playback information.

At step S104, the social networking terminal sends a first voice messagecorresponding to the newly received social networking message to theexternal device upon receiving the playback instruction.

In some embodiments when the new social networking message is a textmessage, the social networking terminal may convert the text messageinto a voice message, and transmit the converted voice message to theexternal device.

In some embodiments, after receiving a Bluetooth data packet sent by theexternal device, the social networking terminal may execute the playbackinstruction based on the CmdId carried in the Bluetooth data packet.

At step S105, the external device plays the first voice message thatcorresponds to the newly received social networking message to the user.

According to the present application, when a new social networkingmessage is received, the social networking terminal may notify the userby sending a notification message to the external device. Further, uponreceiving the notification, the user may respond by operating theexternal device to send instructions such as message playback, sessionswitch, voice input, etc., to the social networking terminal. The socialnetworking terminal may further transmit the received new message,switch to the next new message, or record the user input according torespective instructions. The present application provides an instant andconvenient service to the user so that the user can access the socialnetworking application status during driving or walking.

FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device according to anotherembodiment of the present application. The method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device in this embodiment mayinclude steps discussed below.

At step S201, a social networking conversation that corresponds to thenew message is set as a current social networking conversation.

At step S202, the new message notification is generated according to thecurrent social networking conversation.

In some embodiments, the social networking terminal may generate a voicenotification in accordance with the received new nessage and the socialnetworking application. For example, if a new message is received fromuser Kay of the social networking application, the voice notificationmay be generated as “you've received a message from Kay.”

At step S203, the new message notification of the social networkingapplication is sent from the social networking terminal to the externaldevice.

At step S204, the external device plays the message notify voiceinformation to a user.

After receiving the message notification sent by the social networkingterminal, the external device may play the voice message to a user, forexample, play “you've received two messages from Kay,” so as to informthe user that the social networking terminal receives two pieces ofsocial networking information from Kay in a social networkingapplication session.

At step S205, a switch instruction is acquired from the user to switchto a next new message of the social networking application.

After the external device sends the social networking messagenotification to the user, the external device may acquire a switchinstruction inputted by the user using a physical control key disposedon the external device, and send the switch instruction to the socialnetworking terminal.

At step S206, the current social networking conversation is updated tocorrespond to the next new message of the social networking application.

In some embodiments, the user may double-click a button disposed on theexternal device to generate a switch instruction. After the externaldevice sends a Bluetooth data packet to the social networking terminal,where the Bluetooth data packet carries a CmdId of the session switchinformation, the social networking terminal executes the switchinstruction to switch to the next new message, and update the currentsocial networking conversation to the next new message.

According to the present application, when a new social networkingmessage is received, the social networking terminal may set a socialnetworking conversation that corresponds to the new message as a currentsocial networking conversation. Further, when an instruction to switchto the next new message is received from the external device, the socialnetworking terminal may transmit the voice notification corresponding tothe next new message to the external device, and update the currentsocial networking conversation to correspond to the next new message ofthe social networking application. The present application provides aninstant and convenient service to the user so that the user can havereal update of the social networking application status during drivingor walking.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device according to anotherembodiment of the present application. The method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device in this embodiment mayinclude the steps discussed below.

At step S301, an input instruction is acquired from the user to input asecond voice message from the external device.

At step S302, the input instruction is transmitted to the socialnetworking terminal.

In some embodiments, the user may hold a button on the external deviceto generate an input instruction. Further, a Bluetooth data packetcarrying a CmdId for information input instruction is transmitted fromthe external device to the social networking terminal.

At step S303, a voice input function of the social networking terminalis enabled.

At step S304, a second voice message recorded is transmitted from theexternal device to the social networking terminal.

In some embodiments, the button on the external device may be heldthrough the voice message input.

At step S305, a user operation to end the recording of the second voicemessage is detected.

In some embodiments, when the user releases the button the externaldevice, an instruction to end the voice recording may be generated, andsent to the social networking terminal.

In some embodiments, the external device may turn on an LED light toindicate voice input in status, and turn off the LED light to indicatethe voice input ends.

At step S306, the instruction to stop the recording of the second voicemessage is transmitted from the external device to the social networkingterminal.

At step S307, the second voice message is transmitted to a computerserver.

At step S308, feedback information is transmitted from the socialnetworking terminal.

In some embodiment, after the recorded voice message, i.e., the secondvoice message is transmitted to the computer server, the socialnetworking terminal may send feedback information to notify the externaldevice as to whether the recorded voice message is successfullytransmitted.

In some embodiments, the social networking terminal may pre-set aplurality of status information that correspond to the various socialnetworking application status. The plurality of status information mayinclude the CmdId identifier, which is carried in the Bluetooth datapacket transmitted from the social networking terminal to the externaldevice. Further, when the social networking terminal detects a statuschange of the social networking application, such as message sentsuccess/failure, new message received, terminal login status (e.g.,online/offline notification), status information may be sent to theexternal device to reflect such status change.

At step S309, the user is notified of the feedback information.

In some embodiments, the external device may notify the user whether themessage is successfully sent after receiving the feedback informationfrom the social networking terminal. For example, the external devicemay blink the LED light to notify the user of a successful transmissionof a voice message. When a sound output module such as a headset, apower amplifier, or a stereo is integrated in the external device, theexternal device may output a voice notification such as “hush” to informthe user that the voice information is successfully sent to the socialnetworking terminal.

According to the present application, an input instruction may begenerated by the user through holding a button on the external device.Further, a voice input function of the social networking terminal may beenabled, and a second voice message recorded may be transmitted from theexternal device to the social networking terminal. When the externaldevice detects that the user releases the button, the external devicemay send the instruction to stop the recording of the second voicemessage to the social networking terminal. Further, the external devicemay receive a feedback information from the social networking terminalas to whether the second voice message is successfully transmitted, andnotify the user about the feedback information. The present applicationprovides an instant and convenient service to a social networkingapplication user to record and input a voice message via the externaldevice during driving or walking.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device according to anotherembodiment of the present application. The method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device in this embodiment mayinclude the steps discussed below.

At step S401, a first identifier that represents the external device issent to the social networking terminal.

At step S402, an image code on the external device is scanned at thesocial networking terminal, and coded information of the external deviceis retrieved by decoding the image code.

In some embodiments, the image code may include, but is not limited to,a two-dimensional code and a three-dimensional code, and may bepre-printed on a surface or a product package of the external device. Insome embodiments, the image code may be displayed on the external deviceif the external device is configured with displaying function.

In some embodiments, the coded information of the external device may becharacter information that is pre-configured by the social networkingterminal for the external device.

At step S403, the coded information of the external device istransmitted to a computer server.

At step S404, the computer server searches for a second identifier thatcorresponds to the coded information.

In some embodiments, the computer server may be a social networkingapplication server, or an external device management server.

At step S405, the second identifier that corresponds to the codedinformation is sent to the social networking terminal.

At step S406, the social networking terminal determines whether thefirst identifier is consistent with the second identifier.

In some embodiments, the social networking terminal may only send newmessage notification to an external device after the external device isconfirmed to be a secure device. If it is determined that the externaldevice is not a secure or legitimate device, the social networkingterminal may return an error code to the external device, and will notforward any new message notifications.

At step S407, if the first identifier is consistent with the secondidentifier, the social networking terminal grants the authentication ofthe external device.

According to the present application, if the first identifier isconsistent with the second identifier, the social networking terminalgrants the authentication of the external device, and the socialnetworking terminal may forward the new message notification to thegranted external device. Yet in some other embodiments, if the firstidentifier is not consistent with the second identifier, the socialnetworking terminal may not forward the new message notification to thegranted external device; however, the user may operate the socialnetworking application via the external device except that no newmessage is forwarded to the external device. Therefore, the presentapplication can provide a secure and efficient control of the socialnetworking application from an external device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device according to anotherembodiment of the present application. The method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device in this embodiment mayinclude the steps discussed below.

At step S501, one or more new message of a social networking applicationare received at a social networking terminal.

At step S502, one or more new message notifications of the socialnetworking application are transmitted to an external device.

In some embodiments, the one or more new messages are voice messages,and therefore, may be transmitted directly to the external device. Yetin some other embodiments, the one or more new messages are textmessages, and the social networking terminal may convert the textmessages into voice messages before transmitting.

At step S503, a playback instruction to play a new message of the socialnetworking application is received from the external device.

In some embodiments, user instructions may be generated by clicking,double-clicking, clicking and holding some preset buttons on theexternal device. The corresponding relationship between a userinstruction and a user operation on the external device may bepre-configured on the external device. In some embodiments, a playbackinstruction may be generated by clicking a button on the externaldevice; a switch instruction may be generated by double-clicking abutton on the external device; and an input instruction may be generatedby clicking and holding a button on the external device.

At step S504, the new message of the social networking application isreceived from a computer server.

In some embodiments, upon receiving a playback instruction from theuser, the social networking terminal may retrieve the new message fromthe computer server, and forward the new message in a voice format tothe external device.

At step S505, a first voice message corresponding to the new message ofthe social networking application is transmitted to the external device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device according to anotherembodiment of the present application. The method for operating a socialnetworking application via an external device in this embodiment mayinclude the steps discussed below.

At step S601, one or more new message notifications of a socialnetworking application are received from a social networking terminal.

At step S602, a playback instruction is acquired from a user to play anew message of the social networking application on the external device.

At step S603, the playback instruction is transmitted to the socialnetworking terminal.

At step S604, a first voice message corresponding to the new message ofthe social networking application is received from the social networkingterminal.

At step S605, the first voice message is played on the external device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a social networking terminal700 according to an embodiment of the present application. According tosome embodiments of the present application, a social networkingterminal 700 may communicate with a server or another social networkingterminal using a computer server. The social networking terminal 700 maybe a social networking application client, or a network terminal onwhich the social networking application is installed. The socialnetworking application client may be, an instant social networkingterminal, an SNS client, a game client, or a mail client. In addition,the network terminal may be an intelligent device having a networkingfunction, such as a tablet computer, a mobile phone, an electronicreader, a personal computer (PC), a notebook computer, a vehicle-mounteddevice, or a web TV. The external device according to some embodimentsof the present application may be a control device capable ofcommunicating with the social networking terminal, where the externaldevice may be, for example, an independent control device, or integratedin a headset, a microphone, a wearable device, a mobile phone, anelectronic reader, or a remote control.

The social networking terminal 700 in the embodiment of the presentapplication may include the modules discussed below.

A peripheral sending module 710 may be configured to transmit newmessage notifications to an external device when new messages of asocial networking application are received at the social networkingterminal.

In some embodiments, the peripheral sending module 710 may connect tothe external device using a wireless connection, such as Bluetooth orNFC. In some embodiments, the social networking terminal may connect tothe external device using a wired connection such as a USB or 3.5-mmaudio port.

A peripheral receiving module 720 may be configured to receive userinstructions inputted from the external device, for example, a playbackinstruction from a user to play a new message of the social networkingapplication on the external device, an input instruction from the userto input a second voice message from the external device, a switchinstruction from the user to switch to a next new message of the socialnetworking application, etc.

In some embodiments, the social networking terminal 700 may furtherinclude a voice conversion module 730 configured to convert the textmessage content into a voice message if the newly received message is atext message.

In some embodiments, the social networking terminal 700 may furtherinclude a voice notification generating module 740 configured togenerate a message notification corresponding to the newly receivedsocial networking message.

In some embodiments, the social networking terminal 700 may furtherinclude a social networking message sending module 750 configured toreceive an input instruction to input a second voice message from theexternal device; enable a voice input function of the social networkingterminal; receive the second voice message recorded from the externaldevice; and transmit the second voice message to the computer server.

In some embodiments, the social networking terminal 700 may furtherinclude a social networking session setting module 760 configured to seta social networking conversation that corresponds to the new message asa current social networking conversation; acquire a switch instructionfrom the user to switch to a next new message of the social networkingapplication; and update the current social networking conversation tocorrespond to the next new message of the social networking application.

In some embodiments, after the social networking message sending module750 transmits the recorded voice message from the external device to aserver, the peripheral sending module 710 may further send feedbackinformation to the external server as to whether the recorded voicemessage is successfully transmitted to the server.

In some embodiments, the peripheral receiving module 720 may be furtherconfigured to receive a first identifier that represents the externaldevice.

A graphic code scanning module 770 may be configured to scan an imagecode on the external device; retrieve coded information of the externaldevice by decoding the image code, and send the coded information to aserver so that the server can search for a second identifier thatcorresponds to the coded information. In some embodiments, the codedinformation is character information pre-generated for the externaldevice by the server.

A device authentication module 780 may be configured to receive thesecond identifier that corresponds to the coded information; determinewhether the first identifier is consistent with the second identifier;and grant the authentication of the external device if the firstidentifier is consistent with the second identifier.

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an external device 800according to an embodiment of the present application. In someembodiments of the present application, the external device 800 may bean independent control device that can communication with the socialnetworking terminal, or may be integrated in a communication device,such as a headset, a microphone, a wearable device, a cell phone, aelectric reader, a remote controller, etc. As shown in FIG. 8, theexternal device 800 in the embodiment of the present application mayinclude the modules discussed below.

A peripheral receiving module 810 may be configured to receive one ormore new message notifications of a social networking application from asocial networking terminal.

A message notification module 820 may be configured to send a socialnetworking message notification to a user according to the socialnetworking message notify information. When the peripheral receivingmodule 810 receives a voice message corresponding to the newly receivedsocial networking message, the message notification module 820 maynotify the user by playing the voice message on the external device.

In some embodiments, the message notification module 820 may set the LEDlight in different colors to indicate different social networkingapplication status. For example, the LED light may be set as blinkingwhen a new message is received, in on status when a voice message isinputting from the external device, or in off status when the voicemessage inputting ends. In some embodiments, when a sound output module,such as a headset, a power amplifier, or a stereo is integrated in theexternal device 800, the message notification module 820 may use a voicemessage to notify the user. For example, when the social networkingterminal receives a new message, the message notification module 820outputs a voice message notifying “you've received a new message.”Further, the voice message may include detailed information such as thesender's information and a brief description of the message, and theuser may be notified as “you've received a voice message from XX; toplay it, please press the voice playback key.”

A key instruction obtaining module 830 may be configured to acquire userinstructions such as a playback instruction from a user to play a newmessage of the social networking application on the external device, aninput instruction from the user to input a second voice message from theexternal device, a switch instruction from the user to switch to a nextnew message of the social networking application, etc.

In some embodiments, the external device may be configured with one ormore buttons. When the user operates the buttons, the external devicemay acquire user instructions that corresponds to the particular useroperation. The user operation pattern may include clicking,double-clicking, clicking and holding, etc. In some embodiments, thepattern of clicking may generate a playback instruction, the pattern ofdouble-clicking may generate a switch instruction, and the pattern ofclicking and holding may generate an input instruction.

A peripheral sending module 840 may be configured to send the userinstructions to the social networking terminal. In some embodiments, theperipheral sending module 840 may send control information to the socialnetworking terminal according to a control instruction, where thecontrol information may include message playback information, sessionswitch information, message input information, message sendinginformation, or the like. Further, the control information may include apreset instruction identifier CmdId, which may be pre-agreed between theexternal device and the social networking terminal.

The peripheral receiving module 810 may be further configured to receivevoice message corresponding the newly received message of the socialnetworking application sent from the social networking terminal.

A voice output module 850 may be configured to play the voice message tothe user.

In some embodiments, the social networking message notificationinformation may include a voice message generated by the socialnetworking terminal according to the social networking message.

Further, the message notification module 820 may be configured totrigger the voice output module 850 to play the voice message to theuser.

In some embodiments, the key instruction obtaining module 830 may befurther configured to acquire a message input instruction.

The peripheral sending module 840 may be further configured to sendmessage input instruction to the social networking terminal.

In some embodiments, the external device 800 may further include a voiceinput module 860 configured to obtain voice information input by theuser.

Further, that the peripheral sending module 840 sends message inputinformation to the social networking terminal according to the messageinput instruction. In some embodiments, the peripheral sending module840 sends message input information to the social networking terminal,so that the social networking terminal enables a voice input functionaccording to the message input information, and at the same time, theperipheral sending module 840 sends voice information, which is input bythe user, to the social networking terminal.

According to the present application, the peripheral receiving module810 may receive a new social networking application message from thesocial networking terminal, the message notification module 820 maynotify the user, the key instruction obtaining module 830 may acquireuser instruction from the button on the external device, the peripheralsending module 840 may send the user instructions to the socialnetworking terminal, the peripheral receiving module 810 may furtherreceive the voice message from the social networking terminal, and thevoice output module 850 may play the voice message on the externaldevice to the user.

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a system 900 for operating asocial networking application via an external device according to anembodiment of the present application. The system 900 for operating asocial networking application via an external device may include atleast a social networking terminal 910 and an external device 920.

The social networking terminal 910 may be configured to send socialnetworking message notification information to the external device 920when receiving a new social networking message.

The external device 920 may be configured to send a social networkingmessage notification to a user according to the social networkingmessage notify information.

In some embodiments, the external device 920 may provide with at leastone physical key. Further, the external device 920 may be furtherconfigured to obtain a message playback instruction, which is input bythe user using the physical key disposed on the external device 920, andsend message playback information to the social networking terminal 910according to the message playback instruction.

The social networking terminal 910 may be further configured to sendvoice information of the social networking message to the externaldevice 920 according to the message playback information.

The external device 920 may be further configured to play the voiceinformation of the social networking message to the user.

In some embodiments, the social networking message notificationinformation sent by the social networking terminal 910 may be a voicemessage.

In some embodiments, the external device 920 may also obtain a messageinput instruction, which is input by the user using a physical keydisposed on the external device 920, and send message input informationto the social networking terminal 910 according to the message inputinstruction.

Further, the social networking terminal 910 may obtain a socialnetworking message, which is input by the user using the external device920, according to the message input information, and submits the socialnetworking message to a server for a current social networking session.

While particular embodiments are described above, it will be understoodit is not intended to limit the invention to these particularembodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes alternatives,modifications and equivalents that are within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Numerous specific details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the subject matter presented herein.But it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that thesubject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits havenot been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspectsof the embodiments.

The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description ofthe invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that theterm “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and allpossible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Itwill be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,”“comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination”or “in response to detecting,” that a stated condition precedent istrue, depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it isdetermined [that a stated condition precedent is true]” or “if [a statedcondition precedent is true]” or “when [a stated condition precedent istrue]” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response todetermining” or “in accordance with a determination” or “upon detecting”or “in response to detecting” that the stated condition precedent istrue, depending on the context.

Although some of the various drawings illustrate a number of logicalstages in a particular order, stages that are not order dependent may bereordered and other stages may be combined or broken out. While somereordering or other groupings are In some embodiments mentioned, otherswill be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art and so do notpresent an exhaustive list of alternatives. Moreover, it should berecognized that the stages could be implemented in hardware, firmware,software or any combination thereof.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention andvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a social networkingapplication performed at an external device having one or moreprocessors and memory storing programs executed by the one or moreprocessors, the method comprising: receiving one or more new messagenotifications of a social networking application from a socialnetworking terminal; acquiring a playback instruction from a user toplay a new message of the social networking application on the externaldevice; transmitting the playback instruction to the social networkingterminal; receiving a first voice message corresponding to the newmessage of the social networking application from the social networkingterminal; and playing the first voice message on the external device. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: acquiring an inputinstruction from the user to input a second voice message from theexternal device; transmitting the input instruction to the socialnetworking terminal; recording the second voice message from theexternal device; and transmitting the second voice message to the socialnetworking terminal.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein recording thesecond voice message from the external device further comprises: holdinga button on the external device to start recording; and releasing thebutton on the external device to end recording.
 4. The method of claim2, further comprising: detecting whether a user operation on theexternal device corresponds to the input instruction; and if the useroperation on the external device corresponds to the input instruction,generating the input instruction.
 5. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising: detecting whether a user operation on the external devicecorresponds to the switch instruction; and if the user operation on theexternal device corresponds to the switch instruction, generating theswitch instruction.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:setting a social networking conversation that corresponds to the newmessage as a current social networking conversation; acquiring a switchinstruction from the user to switch to a next new message of the socialnetworking application; and updating the current social networkingconversation to correspond to the next new message of the socialnetworking application.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:detecting whether a user operation on the external device corresponds tothe playback instruction; and if the user operation on the externaldevice corresponds to the playback instruction, generating the playbackinstruction.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: requestingauthentication of the external device from the social networkingterminal; and establishing a connection between the external device andthe social networking terminal if the authentication of the externaldevice is granted by the social networking terminal.
 9. An externaldevice for operating a social networking application comprising one ormore processors and memory storing one or more programs configured forexecution by the one or more processors, the one or more programsincluding instructions for: receiving one or more new messagenotifications of a social networking application from a socialnetworking terminal; acquiring a playback instruction from a user toplay a new message of the social networking application on the externaldevice; transmitting the playback instruction to the social networkingterminal; receiving a first voice message corresponding to the newmessage of the social networking application from the social networkingterminal; and playing the first voice message on the external device.10. The external device of claim 9, wherein the one or more programsfurther include instructions for: acquiring an input instruction fromthe user to input a second voice message from the external device;transmitting the input instruction to the social networking terminal;recording the second voice message from the external device; andtransmitting the second voice message to the social networking terminal.11. The external device of claim 9, wherein the one or more programsfurther include instructions for: setting a social networkingconversation that corresponds to the new message as a current socialnetworking conversation; acquiring a switch instruction from the user toswitch to a next new message of the social networking application; andupdating the current social networking conversation to correspond to thenext new message of the social networking application.
 12. The externaldevice of claim 9, wherein the one or more programs further includeinstructions for: detecting whether a user operation on the externaldevice corresponds to the playback instruction; and if the useroperation on the external device corresponds to the playbackinstruction, generating the playback instruction.
 13. The externaldevice of claim 10, wherein the one or more programs further includeinstructions for: detecting whether a user operation on the externaldevice corresponds to the input instruction; and if the user operationon the external device corresponds to the input instruction, generatingthe input instruction.
 14. The external device of claim 11, wherein theone or more programs further include instructions for: detecting whethera user operation on the external device corresponds to the switchinstruction; and if the user operation on the external devicecorresponds to the switch instruction, generating the switchinstruction.
 15. The external device of claim 10, wherein the one ormore programs further include instructions for: holding a button on theexternal device to start recording; and releasing the button on theexternal device to end recording.
 16. The external device of claim 9,wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:requesting authentication of the external device from the socialnetworking terminal; and establishing a connection between the externaldevice and the social networking terminal if the authentication of theexternal device is granted by the social networking terminal.
 17. Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium, storing one or moreprograms for execution by one or more processors of an external deviceof a system of operating a social networking application includinginstructions for: receiving one or more new message notifications of asocial networking application from a social networking terminal;acquiring a playback instruction from a user to play a new message ofthe social networking application on the external device; transmittingthe playback instruction to the social networking terminal; receiving afirst voice message corresponding to the new message of the socialnetworking application from the social networking terminal; and playingthe first voice message on the external device.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the one or moreprograms further include instructions for: acquiring an inputinstruction from the user to input a second voice message from theexternal device; transmitting the input instruction to the socialnetworking terminal; recording the second voice message from theexternal device; and transmitting the second voice message to the socialnetworking terminal.
 19. The non-transitory computer readable storagemedium of claim 17, wherein the one or more programs further includeinstructions for: setting a social networking conversation thatcorresponds to the new message as a current social networkingconversation; acquiring a switch instruction from the user to switch toa next new message of the social networking application; and updatingthe current social networking conversation to correspond to the next newmessage of the social networking application.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the one or moreprograms further include instructions for: detecting whether a useroperation on the external device corresponds to the playbackinstruction; and if the user operation on the external devicecorresponds to the playback instruction, generating the playbackinstruction.